Newly appointed presidential advisor for Bunyoro kidnapped

The family of Michael Ayeranga, recently appointed senior presidential advisor in charge of mobilization for Bunyoro, is concerned he may have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Family members report that Ayeranga was abducted last week in Kampala, and he has been missing for nearly a week, with his phones switched off. In a joint press conference on Tuesday, family members, politicians, and friends expressed their fears for his safety. Grace Kagoro, Ayeranga’s mother, revealed that the family has been living in fear since Thursday, when he was taken by armed men. They have not heard from him since, and his phones are off.

“If he committed any offense, let him be produced in a court of law rather than being held incommunicado without his relatives knowing his whereabouts,” Grace Kagoro stated.

In tears, Ayeranga’s sister, Agnes Ahumuza, appealed to Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Inspector General of Police, and Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire for intervention.

“We ask for your help because our hands are tied. When gun-wielding men kidnap someone, we have every reason to be concerned. We understand that anyone can commit an offense, but let him be taken to court,” Ahumuza said.

Ali Babi, who read a joint statement, expressed shame that someone of Ayeranga’s stature could be missing for so long without any communication.

“The constitution mandates that a person must be produced in court within 48 hours, but since his abduction last Thursday, he has not been presented to any competent court. If he is dead, give us the body; if he is alive, let him be produced. We are very concerned,” Babi said.

“As people of Bunyoro, we will not tolerate violations of human rights. We demand that the government, the IGP, and relevant security authorities take immediate action to correct this injustice. If it means walking to Kampala or even to State House to demand the return of our son, we will do it. If it is an arrest, why can’t his family see him? What about his lawyers?”

John Bosco Muhanuzi, the mayor of Hoima City East, noted that if a senior presidential advisor can go missing for this long, ordinary citizens are at even greater risk.

“It’s unimaginable that a man of his caliber could be kidnapped like a common thief, taken by unknown individuals without any communication. There’s a serious problem in this country,” Muhanuzi said.

Donald Bategeka, another politician, pointed out a troubling trend of blackmail and subsequent kidnappings or arrests.

“Ayeranga is a good man, but if there was any information given to the president that led to this arrest, it must be erroneous. It’s common for people to fabricate stories to put their colleagues in trouble,” Bategeka added.